Author
Topic: Heavenly Ham? (Read 7860 times)

I used to get Heavenly Ham (kinda like Honey Baked Ham for those unfamiliar) a long time ago. The one thing I liked about it was the "crust" that the ham had on it. If I remember correctly, they actually took a propane torch to the ham to bake on the crust. Does anyone here know what they used to form the crust? I believe it was simply dark brown sugar and then they quickly ran a porpane torch over it to glaze it. I was contemplating doing that with the canadian bacon that I have that is currently curing in the refer and was just wondering if anyone knew.

If I remember Giggles...it's like a paste of honey and brown sugar...sugar stays kinda "crusty" and the honey melts into the meat? And I think they put it into a nuclear oven (commercially) but you could just blow torch it...I think you'd have to be REALLY CAREFUL (though) about burning the sugar...just my HO...

Sorry, Sigs, but I no longer play softball Plus, me and LQ are like peas and carrots........Thanks for the honey and brown sugar LQ. Didn't think of honey......I watched them form the crust one time and they were doing it with a little handheld propane torch.....you're right though as you have to give it a quick pass or it will burn quickly.

Did someone mention HO? Unfortunately, Consig, at my stage in life, the only Ho I ever think about these days are Ho-Hos.

Honey Baked Hams are basted in fruit juices and then glazed with a mixture of brown sugar and honey. Here is a copy cat recipe from Family Circle Magazine. Have to say, I love Honey Baked Hams. Makes 1 7 lb. ham.SERVES 8 (change servings and units)

I think I'd have to pass on the torch, if you ever saw my welding expertise you would understand! I glaze my hams with a honey, molasses, absoultely wild bbq sauce and bourbon mixture and then throw it into my off-set box, after smoke, at about 350 just long enough to set the glaze up.

C

Logged

Its amazing what one can accomplish when one doesn't know what one can't do!

Honeybaked Ham Glaze1 fully cooked shank half ham (bone-in, any)1 Cup sugar1/4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 Teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 Teaspoon ground clove1/8 Teaspoon paprika1 Dash ground ginger1 Dash ground allspiceBegin by slicing your ham like the sprial hams. Use a very sharp knife to cut the ham into thin slices around the bone. Do not cut all the way down to the bone or the meat may not hold together. Keep the slices thin. Start at the bottom and work your way up, turn the ham as you slice around the ham.

Mix the remaining ingredients together in a small bowl.

Lay down a couple sheets of wax paper onto a flat surface, such as your kitchen counter. Pour the sugar mixture onto the wax paper and spread it around evenly.

Place 2-3 large sheets of wax paper on your work area. Pour the sugar mixture onto the wax paper and spread evenly over the wax paper.Roll ham in the sugar mixture, coating well. Coating only the surface you have sliced, not the flat end of the ham.

Turn the ham onto its flat end on a plate. Use a blow torch with a medium-size flame to caramelize the sugar. Wave the torch over the sugar with rapid movement, so that the sugar bubbles and browns. Be careful not to burn the ham. Turn plate so that you can run the torch over the entire surface of the ham. Repeat with more coating and caramelizing process until the ham has been well-glazed.

What is in ham glaze? How do you glaze a ham? Can you share some ham glaze recipes?Before we begin, please understand that these are not recipes for pams-hams or other pre-glazed specialty hams. I would not recommend using these on a pre-glazed ham unless you accidentally heated it and are now trying to re-apply the glaze.

What is in the crispy type of ham glazeMainly sugar. The great glaze flavor comes from the torching of the sugar – commonly called caramelizing. Same basic concept as crème brulee. (speaking of which, that would be another great use for your torch) Some people add a small dash of cinnamon and/or paprika but the ratio would be less then 10% compared to the sugar. Ours contains honey too but that’s a little harder to work with at home.

Ham glaze instruction options Please know that a butane torch is not the ONLY way to glaze a ham. However, it is, in my opinion, the EASIEST way to glaze a ham. They are difficult to ship otherwise I’d offer one on this website. There are lots of options ranging from pricey culinary store ones to more cost effective ones from any local hardware store. I would recommend the hardware store variety but know that their biggest drawback is that they’re bulky – about the size of a household fire extinguisher. Do spend the extra few bucks and get the one that has a self igniting button. When you’re done, share it with your friends or your husband because you’ll probably have 10 hours worth of glazing out of that one large can of butane. The good news is that your husband can store it in his shed. The fancy kitchen store versions are not my favorites because you have to buy butane and fill them.

For those who don’t want to spend money on another gadget or who prefer to experiment, here are some additional suggestions. Other ideas are encouraged so write and tell us what worked for you.

There are two main options for glazing without a torch. The first is with the broiler and the second is with the stove top. The broiler method involves putting your oven on the broiler option WITH THE DOORS OPEN while you are taking the time to roll the ham in the sugar-mixture. It is important that you aren’t heating the oven up because you don’t want to cook the ham more – just caramelize the sugar. (best to make sure the rack is in place before turning on broiler). Once the coils are red hot, place the ham in the oven under that area where the coil goes back around and place it as close to the coils as possible without actually touching. Do not step away from the oven. Once you see the sugar bubbling, remove it. If you wait any longer it will start to burn.

The stove top method is to carefully cook the sugar mixture in a pan and then pour a thin layer over the ham. To caramelize the sugar mixture, place the sugar mixture in a heavy skillet or saucepan. Heat and stir over low heat until the sugar melts and turns a golden brown. This one generally ends up with the thickest “crust” but is preferred by those who are afraid of experimenting directly on the ham. (if they wreck the sugar mixture, they throw it out and start over but it never touched the ham.)